Newcastle could have a choice at Stoke between; Vurnon Anita, Cheick Tiote, Henri Saivet, Jack Colback, Gini Wijnaldum, Jonjo Shelvey and Siem de Jong.
Alan Pardew has claimed that Newcastle have an ‘Outstanding midfield’ but they and the defence have to score more goals and take pressure off the strikers.
If he is available by then, Jonas Gutierrez will be competing with Vurnon Anita, Cheick Tiote, Moussa Sissoko, Sylvain Marveaux and Yohan Cabaye for what is likely to be three midfield places.
What seemed encouraging from Joe’s recent interview was that he and Pardew have compiled a second short list should moves for Gomis, Downing and Remy be unsuccessful. Maybe this partnership is not as bad as we all feared.